How to Take Better Photos – Tips for Posing for Pictures

Have you ever wondered how to take better photos? I’ve learned a few things from trial and error through blogging. Trust me, looking at photos of yourself can be a not so fun process, and you definitely figure out what works and what doesn’t. Today I thought I should share a few tips for posing for pictures. Though this definitely has a slant towards blog photos, it works for anything. Single photos, group shots, anything!

How to Take Better Photos – Tips for Posing for Pictures

1. Body position is key!

I don’t know how to say this politely – tilt your hip/pelvic area back just slightly. I think by default, we all have a tendency to push our bodies forward a little while our shoulders and heads are farther back. This makes our hips/legs look larger as it puts the emphasis on them. With this one small adjustment, you will take a better photo. Do me a favor, in your full length mirror, try this out and see if I am not telling the truth on the difference it makes. I am doing it in the photo below and you cannot even tell. You don’t want to do it so much that it looks as if your whole body is angled and obvious. Just enough to flatter. 

2. Put one foot forward slightly. 

In combination with the tip above, try putting one foot a bit in front of the other one. With these two tips alone, you will take a great photo. Putting one foot forward angles your body just a bit so you aren’t totally straight on with the camera and flatters your legs. Win, win!

3. If you want candid photos, try looking down or to the side. 

I don’t always want a static, “here I am smiling” photo, so I will look away from the camera, smile, and move around a bit. Trust me, we take quite a few photos to get the 5-7 I post on each blog post. 

4. Move around!

Though moving around always means I end up with some ridiculous outtakes, it helps get some more natural shots too. If you are feeling silly or stuck, move around a bit. Walk, twirl in a dress, do a variety of poses one right after the other, and just ask the photographer to snap away. You’ll be surprised at what type of shots you may get and like. 

5. When taking walking photos, look away from the camera and don’t walk directly towards it. 

This is probably just a personal preference, but when I take walking photos I prefer to look away from the camera. I think the effect is a more natural street style look. Often my hair looks more “in motion.” You will also never see me walking directly towards the camera. Trust me, those are not flattering shots. Russ is always at an angle from me or all the way to my side. 

6. Watch your posture. 

I try pretty hard to watch my posture, specifically my shoulders, while taking photos. I think I actually hold them up and back a little. Again, something you might want to practice in the mirror if you really are blogging and taking photos regularly. 

8. Consider props.

If you are nervous about what to do with your hands, consider having a prop like a bag you can carry with your hands or a coffee, both of which I have in these photos. This tip is obviously more directed towards bloggers, but it can really help when you are first getting used to taking photos. 

8. Smile, have fun, and be yourself!

I guess this might be a personal rule since a lot of people don’t smile for their blog photos, but smiling is definitely my style. You are beautiful. Let your light and confidence show. Be yourself! 

The more you do it, the more used to it you will become. You’ll start to get your “go-to” poses and movements down. Russ and I shoot each outfit in about 5 minutes. It’s hysterical. We start with our normal full body shots. Then he says, “Okay, you want to walk?” “Now some close ups?” And we are done! Perks of shooting with my amazing husband!

So there you have it, those are my tips for how to take better photos. Hope that helps and let me know if you have any questions or if this type of post is helpful. 

Shop My Outfit

Click the photos below to shop my outfit. I have been on the hunt for a few things I can wear all spring/summer with Ivy Jean that are more casual since I stay home now. A lot of my wardrobe is different. I needed some more casual t-shirt type tops and some comfy yet cute shoes. I am obsessed with these sandals (size up a half size). 

Linking up with Rachelle